perly timed and dexterously managed. One might enumerate many other important acquirements of the like nature; but above all, especial care should be taken never to let a boy hold up his head and pretend to exert a spirit of independence; such a spirit, fostered and matured, will be his certain ruin. Wise men do not love a superior, and fools hate one. Besides, the more substantial parts, such as learning and industry, can be made known but to few, and it is not worth while to spend much time in acquiring that of which so very few are judges. Of all the polite arts I know, the art of getting and keeping money is the most useful; nothing can bestow more merit than the possession of wealth, for it is the source of universal approbation and regard. How often

do we see

"The learned pate

"Duck to the golden fool ?"

I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,

DAVID DULBARD.

TO THE INSPECTOR.

of

DEAR SIR,-When I was about thirteen years age, my father had some thoughts of placing me apprentice to a worthy old fishmonger of his

acquaintance; but unfortunately both for my poor father and myself, he happened at that time to have a dispute with a neighbour about a spavined horse of the value of £7. At the instigation of a quirking attorney in the neighbourhood, the quarrel soon ripened into a law-suit, in which my father came off conqueror. On discharging the attorney's bill, it was found to amount to £170. 6s. 8d. So much money expended on so trifling a subject, naturally suggested to my father the prodigious advantages that must result from the profession of the law. Without consulting my cast of mind, he immediately articled me to an attorney. I fagged at the desk for five long years in the country, up to the chin in parchments; and was then sent to London to receive the last polish or finishing touches; and there drudged one whole term amongst declarations, pleas, and rebutters, which I was as unable to comprehend as I am to decypher the hieroglyphicks upon an Egyptian pyramid. However, during my novitiate, I saw enough of the law to convince me that it consisted of so many subtleties and quibbles, and that the different circumstances of each client's case opened out so many new roads to terra incognita, that I despaired of ever being able to discover those mysterious regions. I have now spent the six best years of my life, the very

spring of it, and feel such a sinking of the spirits, and such extreme hesitation when a question is proposed to me, that I verily believe my advice will never be worth three shillings and sixpence, although I think I should make a tolerable fishmonger, for I am already a dab at opening an oyster. I therefore beseech you, Mr. INSPECTOR, to give my case your best consideration, and to favour me with your opinion upon the following query:—

Whether it would be prudent in me to abandon my present calling, and to assume the more simple call of-Oysters alive! O?

I am Sir, yours, &c.

G.

JACK SPRAT.

NUMBER 11.

Fair Virtue! from her Father's throne supreme

Sent down to utter laws such as on earth

Most apt he knew, most pow'rful to promote
The weal of all his works, the gracious end
Of his dread empire.—AKENSIDE.

Ar a time when my countrymen have been manifesting their joy, and in the most solemn manner returning public thanks to the Divine

Being for our late naval victories, it would ill become a professed INSPECTOR to remain wholly silent. I cordially unite with my fellow-citizens in the common exultation; and while I commend that piety which professes to receive these events as providential interferences, I must also express my approbation of the honourable feelings so universally excited by the death of the gallant Lord Nelson. It is not my intention to write an eulogium on that lamented nobleman; but I may be permitted to observe, that among the number of those whose lives have been devoted to the service of their country, few have possessed stronger claims to the lasting esteem of a grateful nation.

Independent of that public thanksgiving to which I have above alluded, the modes resorted to on this occasion by my fellow-subjects, in order to testify their attachment to the cause of their country, have been as various as the characters of the individuals. Some have sought to manifest that attachment by eating, some by singing or swearing, and others by getting drunk. For my own part, I think I cannot better evince my patriotic disposition, than by writing an INSPECTOR, wherein I shall endeavour to set forth the conduct incumbent upon every person who is desirous of sustaining the character of a real patriot.

The man who expresses no pleasure at the late naval victories, might justly be suspected of wanting patriotism; and the same suspicion may, with equal justice, attach to him who is careless of the influence of his own individual conduct on the prosperity of his country. A late essayist of distinguished reputation has laid it down as a maxim that" a bad man cannot be a patriot." However objectionable this doctrine may be deemed by many pretenders to this virtue in the present day, it appears to be founded on the firm basis of truth. Such persons as have testified their belief in the doctrine of a superintending Providence, by joining in the late religious rites, must be aware, that in order to propitiate the favour of the Deity, it is requisite that we conform implicitly to his commands, whether expressly revealed to us, or discoverable by the efforts of reason. They who acknowledge the authority of scripture, will recollect many promises of national blessings annexed to the performance of certain duties; while on the other hand, national depravity is frequently threatened with the most exemplary judgments. The instances upon record in which these promises and threatenings were carried into effect, are numerous, and will readily occur to the memories of most of my readers.

In what I am about to advance further on this